KATIE’S CORNER: Living in Approach Full-time
Katie is Outside Van’s fantastic outside sales rep. She lives in her Approach van full-time while traveling throughout the country!
I’ve been living in Approach full-time for three months now, and my home feels cozier than ever! For those of you that haven’t met me yet, I have been living in a van full-time for close to two years. Vanlife forces you to slow down, focus on the essentials, and really appreciate the little things. That is what first attracted me to it; the ability to get rid of material items that felt like they were only weighing me down, to be left with items that serve a purpose and aren’t just there to take up space. Now every day I can wake up in a new place, whether that be next to a peaceful lake, tucked away in the snowy mountains, or the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel. No matter where I end up, my home is always where I am.
I know what you’re thinking – Approach is intended for a family of 4, so how am I making it work for me? Approach is built in such a way where you can really make it work to fit your needs. For me personally, I do not have a need for the additional 2 captain’s chairs in the back, so I popped them out. They are super easy to remove! Even better, the seat plates are flush mounted with the floor, so all I had to do was throw a rug down to hide that there were ever seats there at all. I also do not have a need for the second bed option, so instead I turned the area underneath the top bed into my storage garage. I have all my storage bins across the bench seat, and then bungeed them to the L-Tracks installed on the floor to keep them secure. There are multiple loops under the bed frame as well for additional bungees, and it’s magnetic so I have some magnetic hooks to hold my gear.
Making a Campervan Feel Like Home
One of the biggest challenges of vanlife is creating a space that feels like home. At first glance, a campervan might seem cramped, but with a little creativity, it’s possible to make the space cozy and functional. Here are some ways I’ve transformed my van into a home on wheels:
- Maximize Space with Clever Storage: Every nook and cranny counts! I use vertical storage, under-bed bins, and wall-mounted organizers to keep everything neat and accessible. This way, I have everything I need without feeling cluttered. The L-Track that comes preinstalled on the walls are a great way to maximize vertical storage, and even better is our Switchback soft overhead storage cabinet – I have two of these over my bed which houses all my clothes.
- Add Comfort with Personal Touches: A few throw pillows, a blanket, art, chotchkes (my northeast friends will know this one), and some pictures of loved ones can make the space feel much more inviting. I also keep a small plant or two to bring some life into the van. Get a real plant if you’re brave, I opted for fake ones.
- Lighting and Ambiance: String lights and turning down the dimmable ceiling lights really set the mood in the evenings. I’ve also added color-changing LED lights for some fun, and candles are always super nice. Of course, just don’t forget to exhaust the smoke!
